Clutch apparatus and flap device for a fresh-air system having a clutch apparatus

Abstract

A clutch apparatus may include a first shaft member having a first end portion including axially extending first protrusions. The clutch apparatus may also include a second shaft member arranged axially opposite the first shaft member, the second shaft member having a second end portion including axially extending second protrusions. Additionally, the clutch apparatus may include a clutch member having a disk-shaped main body arranged between the first shaft member and the second shaft member, the clutch member including an annular rim that encircles the main body and protrudes beyond the the main body in both axial directions, the annular rim including first recesses disposed on a first side of the clutch member and second recesses disposed on a second side of the clutch member. The second end portion may further include at least one latching element and the clutch member may further include at least one mating latching element.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A clutch apparatus, comprising:
 a first shaft member; 
 a second shaft member arranged axially opposite the first shaft member; 
 a clutch member arranged between the first shaft member and the second shaft member, the clutch member having a disk-shaped main body; 
 the clutch member including an annular rim that encircles the main body and protrudes beyond the main body in both axial directions; 
 the annular rim including first recesses disposed on a first side of the clutch member; 
 the annular rim further including second recesses disposed on a second side of the clutch member; 
 the first shaft member having a first end portion including axially extending first protrusions; 
 the second shaft member having a second end portion including axially extending second protrusions; 
 wherein at least one of the first protrusions is configured to engage into at least one of the first recesses; 
 wherein at least one of the second protrusions is configured to engage into at least one of the second recesses; 
 wherein the second end portion further includes at least one male latching body projecting therefrom; and 
 wherein the clutch member further includes at least one mating female latching structure, complementary to the at least one male latching body and configured to engage the at least one male latching body, disposed on the annular rim on the second side of the clutch member. 
 
     
     
       2. The clutch apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one male latching body and the at least one mating female latching structure are configured to hold the clutch member axially on the second end portion. 
     
     
       3. The clutch apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the at least one male latching body includes a latching nose; and 
 the at least one mating female latching structure is defined by a latching contour. 
 
     
     
       4. The clutch apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one mating female latching structure is arranged on an inner side of the annular rim. 
     
     
       5. The clutch apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of:
 the at least one male latching body includes two male latching bodies arranged diametrically opposite one another; and 
 the at least one mating female latching structure includes two mating female latching structures arranged diametrically opposite one another. 
 
     
     
       6. The clutch apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein two of the first recesses are arranged diametrically opposite one another, and wherein two of the second recesses are arranged diametrically opposite one another. 
     
     
       7. The clutch apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein only two first recesses are introduced into the annular rim, and wherein only two second recesses are introduced into the annular rim. 
     
     
       8. The clutch apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the first recesses and the second recesses are arranged alternatingly about the annular rim in a circumferential direction such that a circumferential angle of approximately 90° is defined between the first recesses and the second recesses. 
     
     
       9. The clutch apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the first protrusions include two first protrusions and the second protrusions include two second protrusions. 
     
     
       10. The clutch apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein at least one of:
 the two first protrusions are arranged eccentrically relative to a longitudinal axis of the first shaft member and diametrically opposite one another; and 
 the two second protrusions are arranged eccentrically relative to a longitudinal axis of the second shaft member and diametrically opposite one another. 
 
     
     
       11. The clutch apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the first protrusions respectively engage into a corresponding one of the first recesses, and wherein the second protrusions respectively engage into a corresponding one of the second recesses. 
     
     
       12. A flap device for a fresh-air system, comprising:
 at least one flap coupled to a flap shaft in a torque-proof manner; 
 an actuator including a drive shaft; 
 a clutch apparatus including:
 a first shaft member having a first end portion including axially extending first protrusions; 
 a second shaft member arranged axially opposite the first shaft member, the second shaft member having a second end portion including axially extending second protrusions; and 
 a clutch member having a disk-shaped main body arranged between the first shaft member and the second shaft member, the clutch member including an annular rim that encircles the main body and protrudes beyond the main body in both axial directions, the annular rim including first recesses disposed on a first side of the clutch member and second recesses disposed on a second side of the clutch member; 
 
 wherein at least one of the first protrusions is configured to engage into at least one of the first recesses; 
 wherein at least one of the second protrusions is configured to engage into at least one of the second recesses; 
 wherein the second end portion further includes at least one male latching body projecting therefrom; 
 wherein the clutch member further includes at least one mating female latching structure, complementary to the at least one male latching body and configured to engage the at least one male latching body, disposed on the second side of the clutch member; 
 wherein the first shaft member is coupled to the drive shaft in a torque-proof manner; and 
 wherein the second shaft member is coupled to the flap shaft in a torque-proof manner. 
 
     
     
       13. A fresh-air system for a motor vehicle, comprising:
 a distributor housing including an inlet and an outlet; and 
 a flap device including:
 at least one flap coupled to a flap shaft in a torque-proof manner; 
 an actuator including a drive shaft; and 
 a clutch apparatus including:
 a first shaft member having a first end portion including axially extending first protrusions; 
 a second shaft member arranged axially opposite the first shaft member, the second shaft member having a second end portion including axially extending second protrusions; and 
 a clutch member having a disk-shaped main body arranged between the first shaft member and the second shaft member, the clutch member including an annular rim that encircles the main body and protrudes beyond the main body in both axial directions, the annular rim including first recesses disposed on a first side of the clutch member and second recesses disposed on a second side of the clutch member; 
 
 
 wherein at least one of the first protrusions is configured to engage into at least one of the first recesses; 
 wherein at least one of the second protrusions is configured to engage into at least one of the second recesses; 
 wherein the second end portion further includes at least one male latching body; 
 wherein the clutch member further includes at least one mating female latching structure, complementary to the at least one male latching body and configured to engage the at least one male latching body, disposed on the second side of the clutch member; 
 wherein the first shaft member is coupled to the drive shaft in a torque-proof manner; 
 wherein the second shaft member is coupled to the flap shaft in a torque-proof manner; and 
 wherein at least one of the inlet and the outlet is controlled by the at least one flap. 
 
     
     
       14. The clutch apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the first recesses collectively extend a circumferential distance that is less than half of a circumference of the annular rim. 
     
     
       15. The clutch apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the second recesses collectively extend a circumferential distance that is less than half of a circumference of the annular rim. 
     
     
       16. The clutch apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 two of the second protrusions are arranged diametrically opposite one another; 
 the at least one male latching body includes two male latching bodies arranged diametrically opposite one another; and 
 the two second protrusions and the two male latching bodies are arranged alternatingly about the second end portion in a circumferential direction of the annular rim such that a circumferential angle of approximately 90° is defined between the two second protrusions and the two male latching bodies. 
 
     
     
       17. The flap device for the fresh-air system according to  claim 12 , wherein at least one of:
 the at least one male latching body includes a latching nose; and 
 the at least one mating female latching structure is defined by a latching contour disposed on the annular rim. 
 
     
     
       18. The fresh-air system for the motor vehicle according to  claim 13 , wherein at least one of:
 the at least one male latching body includes a latching nose; and 
 the at least one mating female latching structure defines a latching contour disposed on the annular rim. 
 
     
     
       19. The clutch apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the clutch member further includes at least one of:
 two first reinforcement struts projecting axially from the main body and extending between two first recesses of the first recesses such that the two first reinforcement struts define a first groove extending between the two first recesses; and 
 two second reinforcement struts projecting axially from the main body and extending between two second recesses of the second recesses such that the two second reinforcement struts define a second groove extending between the two second recesses. 
 
     
     
       20. The clutch apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the second end portion has an annular axial face defining an axial opening; and 
 the at least one male latching body is disposed at and projects axially from an inner edge of the annular axial face delimiting the axial opening.